Photodecomposition of 2,4-dinitroaniline on Li/TiO2 and Rb/TiO2 nanocrystallite sol-gel derived catalysts

Sol-gel titania was prepared and doped with lithium and rubidium. In sample s annealed at 400 degreesC specific surface areas around 100 m(2)/g were ob tained. By increasing the thermal treatment (600 degreesC) the solids notab ly diminishes their specific surface area (lower than 27 m(2)/g), The band gap of the samples was determined by UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy. A decr ease of the E-g was observed in titania and doped titania while the tempera ture was increased. The XRD spectra of the samples showed that at 600 degre esC the main phase in TiO2 and Rb/TiO2 was anatase, while in Li/TiO2 the ma in phase was rutile. Activities for the 2,4-dinitroaniline photodecompositi on suggest an incorporation of lithium in the titania structure, since it i s the catalyst showing the lowest activity. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.